I'm posting from the home of D and A, engaged couple and fellow fish freaks. It's A's birthday; she's turning 26, which makes her one of our young chillun'. A handful of champagne-drunk friends have dragged out the karaoke machine and swaying along with the Eagles to "Desperado". Eeek. Who knew that so many of my friends were tone deaf?

It's been a good night. Sometimes when we're all together, things get ugly. This group of friends has almost too much history together; when we've been drinking or enjoying illicit substances, we've been known to dredge up the past. I've deliberately never dated within the group, which makes me immune to much of the crap.

Tonight, though, all the best in us came out. Momma Guerin brought Siana; Cec kept Beek in a good mood, and doggies Happy and Jade played house. D made us turn off all the lights to bring in A's birthday cake; we sang and toasted. It's nights like this that I'm reminded that we're family. We take care of each other. One of the guys wandered over a bit ago to tell me that he loves me and wants me to be happy. Sure, he's tipsy, but it was still love talking. Thanks, honey.

The other lovely piece of the evening was a talk with Nom de Plume. (I can't think of a name for him, 'cause everything that comes to mind is sweet and sappy and complimentary.) I don't want to write much about him; I might jinx us. But damn. He is good. This man overwhelms me. I dunno what will happen, but thank you to the fates, Yahweh, Allah, the Buddha, Hera - everybody and everything that's helped us find each other. Cheesy as it sounds, I am deeply grateful.

2003-07-22 - 3:54 p.m.

It's official! I'm now one of Ms Lovejoy's review bitches. Thanks, Madame Lovejoy; may your libido never falter. And to those whose diaries are up for grabs - don't worry, y'all, I promise to play nice.

Cheers!

2003-07-22 - 3:12 p.m.

Bugger, f*ck, shit! I just lost a carefully crafted entry about the two new gorgeous marine fish that joined the tank yesterday. Grr. All right, until I get my hatred of the U's faulty servers under control enough to post again, content yo' bad selves with these: royal gramma and a coral beauty angel.Grumble grr grumble grr...